- Nigeria’s Alade Ajibade makes history as the first African to win a medal in blind Sambo.
- Ajibade clinches bronze in the men’s –98kg category at the World Sambo Championships.
- Sambo Associations of Nigeria praises the milestone, calling it a breakthrough for the sport.
- Nigeria also gains full membership into the International SAMBO Federation (FIAS).
Nigeria has entered the global Sambo spotlight after athlete Alade Ajibade secured a bronze medal in blind Sambo at the 2025 World Sambo Championships in Bishkek, Uzbekistan. Ajibade, who competed in the men’s –98kg category, achieved the milestone in what was his first international appearance.
The historic achievement makes Ajibade the first African athlete to win a medal in blind Sambo, a discipline designed for visually impaired fighters. He stood out as the only medallist in Nigeria’s three–man team.
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Sheriff Hammed, Vice President of the Sambo Associations of Nigeria and one of the early promoters of blind Sambo in Africa, described Ajibade’s moment as a turning point for the sport on the continent.
He said the medal proves that African athletes can excel globally in adaptive sports when given the right platform and support.
“This achievement is deeply inspiring,” Hammed said. “It represents resilience, commitment and the progress we are making in adaptive sports. With proper investment and opportunity, Nigerian athletes can compete, and win on the world stage.”
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In a double victory for the country, Nigeria was officially admitted as a full member of the International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) during the federation’s 37th elective congress. Togo, the Maldives, the Central African SAMBO Federation and the SAMBO Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina were also granted full membership.
Delegates at the congress voted in favour of the new members as FIAS constituted a new Executive Board.
Nigeria’s membership means greater access to global training, technical support and qualification pathways for future championships.
